Section 8 – 2 Peter 2:1-9
1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.” (NIV)
Questions
● (vs 1-2). Who does Peter say were among the people in the past? Who will be among the people now? What will these individuals do? How is the conduct of the false teachers described in verse 2? What is the result of their conduct?
● (v 3). What will false teachers do in their greed? What does “exploit” mean? How will they exploit people? What does God have in store for false teachers?
● (vs 4-8). In this section look fort he ways the Lord rescues the godly from trials. How does God deal with the unrighteous?
● (vs 9). What does verse 9 say the Lord knows how to do? Who will be rescued? Who will be judged?
● How can we avoid being exploited by false teachers with fabricated stories?
● How should Christians view the condemnation and punishment of the unrighteous by God?
● What is something from our passage or study you are challenged to ponder further this week? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________
Suggested Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the warnings about false teachers found in this passage of scripture. Help me to more fully know the truth found in your Word so that I will be quick to recognize the destructive heresies of false teachers, especially those which would deny the sovereignty of you my Lord Jesus who paid for me. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you know how to rescue the godly from trials and hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. Your Word illustrates this truth again and again. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Passages for reference:
Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (NIV)
2 Corinthians 11:12-15
12 “And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”
The Brotherhood Mission Statement:
“Discipling men of all ages in their pursuit of loving God
with all their hearts, all their lives.”